This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I felt like reading a YA book and this looked to be an interesting pick. This book has very clear trigger warnings, which I ignored and then spent considerable time crying. But anyway.
Amani and Huda have been best friends for years. Amani is shy and quiet while Huda is sassy and always ready to right a perceived wrong.
Both girls have their struggles at home. Huda is scared of her adoptive parents not wanting her once they have a baby of their own. Amani is terrified of her abusive father. The girls try to help each other through their issues. But an anonymous blogger at school is slowly releasing everyone’s secrets.
This was a pretty predictable novel that I enjoyed nonetheless. It perfectly captures “brown aunties” and their talk. I identified conversations I myself have listened to or participated in. This book made me feel seen.
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Debunking Myths about Working in a Call Center
categories: Career, Welcome to The Real World
“You work in the call center, right?”
I looked at the random aunty in surprise. This was during the period that I was hiding my new job from others and I was tired of lying. But at the same time I couldn’t face people if they found out I had left the call center and their reaction was relief.
“Um yeah, sorta. The company has a call center but I work in a different department.”
Ha! There. That wasn’t a lie. I actually wasn’t sure if my new job had a call center but they had a Customer Care team. That’s almost the same thing.
But the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. I was tired of people looking down at the call center. Sure, no one dreams of being a call center agent. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have it’s perks.
Below, I’m debunking some myths about working in a call center:
Myth #1: Working in a call center is a Low Status Job
Okay, I feel like I have to address this one immediately. Personally I have encountered this in my community so I don’t know if everyone feels this way or if I am just surrounded by really small-minded people. NO job is a low status job. Not wanting to work because you think a job is “beneath you” is actually quite embarrassing…for you!
No one is above or below anyone else. (Except beetroot. Beetroot is beneath me because it is awful and idc how awful my iron issues are. I will NOT go back to that life. Just let me faint).
Myth #2: Working in a call center is a low-paying job
My next favourite myth. Firstly I have seen some incredibly high salaries come out of the call center. Secondly if you’re thinking the Sales Agents go home with no idea of how they’re going to pay their bills, you’re wrong. Several agents take home over R20k or R30k. I have seen people leave Customer Care (with it’s stable fixed income) to go back to the Sales floor because it offers better earning opportunities. And no to mention the amazing incentives like paid holidays, tickets for events and even appliances. (Can you tell I’m jealous? I shouldn’t be punished just because I have no skills as a Salesperson).
Myth #3: It’s a dead-end job with no opportunities for career growth
Career opportunities for a call center range from your typical upward growth such as team leader, manager or supervisor. But there’s also other departments that you can move into depending on the size of the organisation.
I know agents who started in Sales and moved to Training, Human Resources and even Marketing (this was a win I took personally. Go, girl! Internal promotions make me so happy). What’s more many call centers are big on offering training to develop their staff.
Myth #4: Customers are always shouting at Agents
Okay this isn’t completely untrue. But like any job, you deal with a range of people. Some are angry and always shouting, Some are actually really nice. Call can be complaints, general queries or just someone who wants to know what products are available. The great thing about being an agent is any call- whether bad or good- has to end at some point. You just keep going on. The call center is an excellent place to learn perseverance.
Myth #5: Call center work is easy, and anyone can do it
I mean technically yes. But in actual fact, not everyone can do it. And not everyone can do it well. Calling people to sell them a product seems easy. But you need sales skills which not everyone has. Trainers are fond of saying “it’s just a skill. You’ll learn it.” In my experience, it is a skill that not everyone has. Besides that you need patience if you’re going to be dealing with any angry customers and it is a huge help to be able to multi-task.
Myth #6: All you do is phone people
Call centers have a multitude of roles. From Customer Care to Recruitment, Business Development and Client Services. There are tons of different departments with different responsibilities. Typically this is the part where people’s eyes glaze over as I try to explain how a call center works but just trust me on this, tons of departments (which then means tons of opportunity).
What are your thoughts on call centers? I’d love to know below!
Book Review: On Brand by Alizia Licht
On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception. by Aliza Licht
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Finished this last night and all I can say is I wish I had a print copy (for some reason I can’t find a print copy to purchase in South Africa).
I got a review copy of “On Brand” from Netgalley and I was so thrilled. I loved “Leave Your Mark” and have been waiting for years for Aliza Licht to release a new book.
“On Brand” is the bigger sister to “Leave Your Mark”. While I read “Leave Your Mark” as a uni student in her final semester, reading “On Brand” was like the prep you need for the corporate world.
Who better to advise us on personal branding than DKNY PR GIRL?
This book was incredibly informative but be warned, you WILL need a notebook of some kind. If you’re a new graduate or if you’re just looking to refresh your personal brand, definitely pick this up.
(Personally I am of the opinion that personal branding is for EVERYONE and this book is a great guide for you).
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categories: Uncategorized
The Practice Interview
categories: Career, Welcome to The Real World
One of my favourite interviews was for a job I didn’t even want.
I knew Company A from my childhood- they were a BPO that my mother worked at when I was a kid. I used to visit their offices every Saturday and my aunt- who also worked there- would leave snacks for me. My mother warned me against interviewing- being a former employee she was very aware of what their workloads were like- but I was curious about the role since it combined two Marketing roles (Red flag).
From the second I walked in, I knew I had no intention of taking the job but it made me so happy to be back in a BPO discussing the industry. I FELT SEEN!
About half an hour into the interview, we realised that the job wasn’t a fit but we still spent another half an hour chatting. I had forgotten how familiar and comfortable the BPO environment was to me. I may not have had snacks or a desk to myself (though they did offer me tea, coffee or something stronger) but it made me happy.
Ironically, I had left a BPO about 6 months prior because I wanted to experience another industry but being back in that environment was strangely comforting.
Leaving that interview, I couldn’t help but smile. While the job wasn’t a fit, the experience reminded me of how much I value environments where I feel seen and connected. Sometimes, revisiting old chapters of our lives can offer clarity about what truly matters to us.
Though I left the BPO world for a reason, this encounter reignited my appreciation for the industry and the sense of belonging it once gave me. It’s funny how life works—sometimes, the moments that don’t lead to a “yes” are the ones that remind us of who we are and where we’ve been.
Here’s to staying curious and open to the unexpected paths that shape our journeys.
I Accidentally Went into A Toxic Workplace
categories: Welcome to The Real World
I had worked in Customer Care for a little over 3 years. It was not the best of environments but- I was going to quickly learn this- it wasn’t the worst either.
I was burnt out in my first Marketing role so when I was contacted by another company for a possible role, I took the interview.
But in my haste for change it appeared that I ignored several red flags.
- I was warned that there wasn’t any real processes in place in the environment. I had no idea to what extent they meant it. Any attempt to put in a process was ignored and so we always went back to scratch- no process. Fast forward a year later and it was still the same.
- The hiring manager was not an HR manager- it was the person hiring for the role. I thought he was picky and looking for someone who could do his role. Turns out the company never had an HR department. I had heard that they outsourced their HR function but whenever I needed HR there was never anyone there. When my role was made redundant I was provided with little to no support- and even my last salary seemed suspiciously low. I also didn’t get severance pay- something I had to follow up about for weeks before they finally paid me. Apparently they weren’t sure if severance pay applied to me- an issue that could have been easily resolved if they had an HR department to begin with.
- The hiring manager disappeared for days on end. This was something that followed me into the job. The manager would disappear and then come up with a list of instructions or a list of reasons why the work I did was incorrect (even though there were never any proper instructions or marketing briefs to begin with).
- I asked for a sample payslip but they were unable to provide one. Turns out that the company didn’t give regular payslips. I only learnt this two months in because everytime I asked for one, I got the run-around instead.
- The contract said that staff weren’t allowed to refuse overtime work on weekends on public holidays. I raised this and they said they didn’t work on public holidays or weekends but that was just their standard contract. Holding them in good faith, I signed anyway…only to later learn that other things on the contract was incorrect such as the date we get paid and the tasks I was responsible for.
Unfortunately all of this happened during a horrible job market. So no matter how hard I tried (and I started trying six months into the job), it was difficult for me to get a new job. Eventually I was made redundant and I cannot explain to you how happy it made me. Yeah, I may not have had a source of income but I had my mental health. And that is infinitely more valuable.
Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When “The Silent Patient” first released, everyone who read it wouldn’t stop raving about it. At the time, I was struggling to read so I didnt bother to get a copy.
But when I found this in a secondhand didn’tbookstore, I knew I had to get it. Sure I had stopped reading for months but what if THIS was the book that would change all of that?
Unfortunately I dont think this has fixed my reading problem but this book was incredible!
“The Silent Patient” tells the story of Theo, a damaged psychotherapist who is a fan of Alicia’s artwork. Theo has been following Alicia’s story since the beginning- when she shot her husband five times in the face. No one knows why Alicia murdered her husband and she hasn’t spoken since that day.
Theo is determined to get Alicia to speak- to heal. But as time goes on Alicia remains silent. Desperate for answers, Theo resorts to speaking to the people in her life. He goes about the whole thing in a way a detective would. And the men in Alicia’s life do not like Theo’s meddling.
I spent an entire day with this book. I just had to know how it ended. This is a book that leaves you saying “WTF” when you’re done.
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How to Use a Starter Job to Your Advantage
There you are all bright and shiny and ready to make your mark on the working world! But then you land your first job and it’s nothing like you imagined. Or maybe you had to settle for the first opportunity that came you way (I’ve been there). No matter how awful your first job may seem to you. Here are a few tips on making the most of it:
1. Be Open to Learning Everything
You might not be interested in your first role but you’d be surprised by what you can learn from a starter job. I started off as a data capturer which helped me build speed on the PC for my first corporate role.
2. What are the Benefits?
Company culture? Office snacks? Learning opportunities? Figure out what the positives are and use them to your advantage. A starter job might not be what you want or in the field you want but this is a great opportunity to start to build your network.
3. Try Out a Side Project in Your Field
For me this was running a blog. Try to get experience in your field by either doing volunteer work (if and when you can) or ask if your job has something extra that you can assist with. My first steps into Marketing was assisting with Customer queries on Social Media. It was an interesting way to use my fast typing skills but it was such an advantage when I moved over to Marketing.
4. Take Advantage of any Training Opportunities
If there are any opportunities for further training, go for it! Developing your skills is a great way to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. In my starter job, Business Admin courses were offered to a few employees who later moved from Data Capturing to Client Services. If your company offers to pay for training- even if it’s a small portion- consider giving it a go.
5. Note what your transferrable skills are
Hard-worker. Fast learner. Able to work well under pressure. These are skills you pick up in almost any job. What specific skill in your starter job are you able to use in another role? Identity these and add them to your CV.
A starter job might not be the job you initially wanted but making the most of it will serve your career well in the long-run.
Sunrise to Sunset: A Perfect Day in Umhlanga for Food Lovers
categories: Lifestyle
Umhlanga is one of my favourite spots to unwind. From the seaviews to the seafood, no matter your mood, Umhlanga has something for you. Here’s my itinerary for a perfect day in Umhlanga:
Kick Off Your Morning with Breakfast at Mary & Joe
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast at Mary & Joe, a local favourite known for its fresh coffee and hearty breakfast options. Whether you prefer a classic eggs benedict or a stack of fluffy pancakes, this spot will fuel you for the day ahead.
Mid-Morning Beach Stroll with an Iced Drink
Take a scenic walk along the Umhlanga Promenade, breathing in the fresh ocean air. Stop by a beachfront café to grab an iced drink- think iced lattes or tropical smoothies- and enjoy the views. This is also the perfect time to take a quick dip if the waves are calling!
There’s just something about the Umhlanga beach that melts away worries of the world.
Experience the Variety at The Village for Lunch
Have your pick with lunch at the village. You could choose to walk around and see what grabs your attention but some of my favourites are:
- Ocean Basket: Like the name says, Ocean Basket has everything from fish and chips to sushi platters.
- Steak & Ale: If you’re in the mood for a juicy burger or a hearty steak, this pub-style eatery won’t disappoint. They also have amazing customer service which really won me over.
- El Patron: El Patron offers a variety of meals at great prices. They have pizza, burgers and even pastas.
Treat Yo Self at Ocean Mall
Ocean Mall is a huge mall that you could explore or simply just treat yourself to something sweet. Some great options for those who love sugary treats are Romano’s Ice Cream which offers gelato in a variety of flavours. You could also visit Hey Sweetie and indulge in both local and imported snacks.
Unwind with Cocktails and a View
You could head to the Pearls Mall (which has a fantastic view of the beach) for drinks or if you’re okay with a bit of a splurge, visit the Oyster Box hotel and go to the Lighthouse Bar. This classy setting is perfect for cocktails while you watch the sun set.
Dine Like a King
To wrap up your day, you can have dinner at any of the many options in the village but my recommendations are:
- Butcher Block: While Butcher Block is known for expertly grilled steaks, I’ve tried their hake and chicken schnitzel and am a fan of both. Basically, it doesn’t look like Butcher Block goes wrong with anything.
- Little Havana: A stylish bistro offering Cuban-inspired dishes with a South African twist. Their chimichurri steak or peri-peri prawns will leave you wanting more.
Whether you prefer casual cafés, fine dining, or beachfront treats, Umhlanga offers a foodie adventure at every turn. This is the kind of place where every bite becomes a memory and every meal feels like a celebration.
Book Review: Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart
Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I CANNOT believe it took me so long to finish this book. I also cannot believe I enjoyed it so much.
I started this book atleast thrice but was never in the right frame of mind to finish it. But I was stuck in bed this weekend so I thought “why not try again?”
And SUCCESS!!!
“Queen of Ruin” picks up shortly after “Grace and Fury” and sees the two sisters reunite…briefly. But with Asa now in power, the girls must come together to defend their families and country from his tyranny.
This book did a great job of recapping what happened (this was helpful since I couldn’t remember and since I kept starting and stopping this book before). It was amazing to see how both Serina and Nomi’s characters have developed and of course I wanted to know more about Malachi.
Once I started reading this last night, I could not stop. This is one of my favourite series and I’m sad there’s only two books.
I feel like there is definitely potential for more.
If you’re looking for the kind of book that makes you forget you are reading, give this series a try!
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